General George Meade was accomplished, but his name and personal history often get lost among other, more famous Civil War generals such as Robert E. Lee or William Sherman. A local group is seeking to change that. As part of that effort, The General Meade Society of Philadelphia celebrates Meade every year on Dec. 31, his birthday and wedding anniversary. "He was the victor of Gettysburg and he saved the nation there," said Andrew Waskie, a professor of history at Temple.